Damning health and safety report shocks Witney councillor

A WITNEY town councillor said she was “appalled” at a report which shows a hall that has been open for three years is not complying with health and safety regulations.

Chrissie Curry made the comments at Witney Town Council’s public halls committee after a health and safety inspection by contractors GH Safety last month uncovered the issues at Madley Park Hall in Northfield Farm Lane.

She said there had been little improvement since an inspection a year ago.

The council owns the community hall, which cost £900,000 and opened in 2011, but it is run by the Madley Park Hall Trust.

The report by facilities supervisor Mervyn Hudson showed that a rear safety gate was left open after an alarm test, the first aid kit was depleted with no sign indicating where it was located, there was no fire extinguisher in the main hall, plaster was damaged and electrical sockets were cracked.

Ms Curry said: “I’m really concerned that no actions have been speedily taken. No proper care is taken of the hall.”

Committee chairman Roger Curry said: “It’s slightly over the top and nitpicking but that’s what health and safety is about. I wouldn’t say there’s anything there which means we’re going to close the hall.”

Facilities manager Claire Swan said it would help to have caretakers to look after the hall.

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Not as outrageous as Oxford City Council owned Quarry and Risinghurst community centre, which had an £80k refurishment last year - much of which was spent on having the roof and other areas totally replaced due to asbestos content - the health and safety threat from which the residents and tenants on Risinghurst had been subjected to for decades of poor and minimal maintenance by City Council. Nor, unlike at Rose Hill, are the people of Risinghurst going to get a new multi-million pound community and health centre - something which its Labour City Councillors have apparently not even considered for thos 'forgotten' part of the City of Dreaming Councillors!

Not as outrageous as Oxford City Council owned Quarry and Risinghurst community centre, which had an £80k refurishment last year - much of which was spent on having the roof and other areas totally replaced due to asbestos content - the health and safety threat from which the residents and tenants on Risinghurst had been subjected to for decades of poor and minimal maintenance by City Council. Nor, unlike at Rose Hill, are the people of Risinghurst going to get a new multi-million pound community and health centre - something which its Labour City Councillors have apparently not even considered for thos 'forgotten' part of the City of Dreaming Councillors!Myron Blatz

Not as outrageous as Oxford City Council owned Quarry and Risinghurst community centre, which had an £80k refurishment last year - much of which was spent on having the roof and other areas totally replaced due to asbestos content - the health and safety threat from which the residents and tenants on Risinghurst had been subjected to for decades of poor and minimal maintenance by City Council. Nor, unlike at Rose Hill, are the people of Risinghurst going to get a new multi-million pound community and health centre - something which its Labour City Councillors have apparently not even considered for thos 'forgotten' part of the City of Dreaming Councillors!

Score: 0

Myron Blatz says...8:30am Sat 19 Jul 14

Not as outrageous as Oxford City Council owned Quarry and Risinghurst community centre, which had an £80k refurishment last year - much of which was spent on having the roof and other areas totally replaced due to asbestos content - the health and safety threat from which the residents and tenants on Risinghurst had been subjected to for decades of poor and minimal maintenance by City Council. Nor, unlike at Rose Hill, are the people of Risinghurst going to get a new multi-million pound community and health centre - something which its Labour City Councillors have apparently not even considered for thos 'forgotten' part of the City of Dreaming Councillors!

Not as outrageous as Oxford City Council owned Quarry and Risinghurst community centre, which had an £80k refurishment last year - much of which was spent on having the roof and other areas totally replaced due to asbestos content - the health and safety threat from which the residents and tenants on Risinghurst had been subjected to for decades of poor and minimal maintenance by City Council. Nor, unlike at Rose Hill, are the people of Risinghurst going to get a new multi-million pound community and health centre - something which its Labour City Councillors have apparently not even considered for thos 'forgotten' part of the City of Dreaming Councillors!Myron Blatz

Not as outrageous as Oxford City Council owned Quarry and Risinghurst community centre, which had an £80k refurishment last year - much of which was spent on having the roof and other areas totally replaced due to asbestos content - the health and safety threat from which the residents and tenants on Risinghurst had been subjected to for decades of poor and minimal maintenance by City Council. Nor, unlike at Rose Hill, are the people of Risinghurst going to get a new multi-million pound community and health centre - something which its Labour City Councillors have apparently not even considered for thos 'forgotten' part of the City of Dreaming Councillors!

Score: 0

C ARINGAROSA says...10:10am Sat 19 Jul 14

What a load of fuss over nothing, this is a public hall not the Dorchester Hotel, with people using a building there will always be odd small things that need attention, If the Council had dealt with issues far worse, and dangerous that needed doing in the Corn Exchange, it would never have been closed in the first place, but they would not spend any money on it. Now they are looking rather silly, yet again ! C. Aringarosa, Corn Street, Witney.

What a load of fuss over nothing, this is a public hall not the Dorchester Hotel, with people using a building there will always be odd small things that need attention, If the Council had dealt with issues far worse, and dangerous that needed doing in the Corn Exchange, it would never have been closed in the first place, but they would not spend any money on it. Now they are looking rather silly, yet again !
C. Aringarosa, Corn Street, Witney.C ARINGAROSA

What a load of fuss over nothing, this is a public hall not the Dorchester Hotel, with people using a building there will always be odd small things that need attention, If the Council had dealt with issues far worse, and dangerous that needed doing in the Corn Exchange, it would never have been closed in the first place, but they would not spend any money on it. Now they are looking rather silly, yet again ! C. Aringarosa, Corn Street, Witney.

Score: 6

the wizard says...8:39pm Sun 20 Jul 14

C ARINGAROSA wrote…

What a load of fuss over nothing, this is a public hall not the Dorchester Hotel, with people using a building there will always be odd small things that need attention, If the Council had dealt with issues far worse, and dangerous that needed doing in the Corn Exchange, it would never have been closed in the first place, but they would not spend any money on it. Now they are looking rather silly, yet again ! C. Aringarosa, Corn Street, Witney.

I normally agree with a lot of what you write but however here I differ in opinion. Firstly, first aid box depleted, is it not checked and replenished on a regular basis, well obviously not, but not a rocket science duty of care obligation to those who rent this hall. Secondly, a fire extinguisher not in the main hall, probably renders the place in contravention of the law and all recommended obligations to gain a fire certificate. Cracked faces on electrical sockets are dangerous and can lead to fire and electrocution. Taken together with the other issues raised, no more than one days work to put right, but combined they show how shabby this hall has become due to no care and diligence by its owners. Had you received a burn from one of the faulty sockets while using a plug, no adequate first aid , no extinguisher to put out an ensuing fire, your opinion would be very different. The person who wrote the report was very correct to do so and the council as a whole should be alarmed that this hall after all what has gone on about it should have fallen into this amount on bitty but neglectful disrepair so quickly. No wonder our other Halls are far from sparkling and the Corn Exchange is a shinning example of the neglect this council has a track record, totally disgusting.

[quote][p][bold]C ARINGAROSA[/bold] wrote:
What a load of fuss over nothing, this is a public hall not the Dorchester Hotel, with people using a building there will always be odd small things that need attention, If the Council had dealt with issues far worse, and dangerous that needed doing in the Corn Exchange, it would never have been closed in the first place, but they would not spend any money on it. Now they are looking rather silly, yet again !
C. Aringarosa, Corn Street, Witney.[/p][/quote]I normally agree with a lot of what you write but however here I differ in opinion.
Firstly, first aid box depleted, is it not checked and replenished on a regular basis, well obviously not, but not a rocket science duty of care obligation to those who rent this hall.
Secondly, a fire extinguisher not in the main hall, probably renders the place in contravention of the law and all recommended obligations to gain a fire certificate.
Cracked faces on electrical sockets are dangerous and can lead to fire and electrocution.
Taken together with the other issues raised, no more than one days work to put right, but combined they show how shabby this hall has become due to no care and diligence by its owners.
Had you received a burn from one of the faulty sockets while using a plug, no adequate first aid , no extinguisher to put out an ensuing fire, your opinion would be very different. The person who wrote the report was very correct to do so and the council as a whole should be alarmed that this hall after all what has gone on about it should have fallen into this amount on bitty but neglectful disrepair so quickly. No wonder our other Halls are far from sparkling and the Corn Exchange is a shinning example of the neglect this council has a track record, totally disgusting.the wizard

C ARINGAROSA wrote…

What a load of fuss over nothing, this is a public hall not the Dorchester Hotel, with people using a building there will always be odd small things that need attention, If the Council had dealt with issues far worse, and dangerous that needed doing in the Corn Exchange, it would never have been closed in the first place, but they would not spend any money on it. Now they are looking rather silly, yet again ! C. Aringarosa, Corn Street, Witney.

I normally agree with a lot of what you write but however here I differ in opinion. Firstly, first aid box depleted, is it not checked and replenished on a regular basis, well obviously not, but not a rocket science duty of care obligation to those who rent this hall. Secondly, a fire extinguisher not in the main hall, probably renders the place in contravention of the law and all recommended obligations to gain a fire certificate. Cracked faces on electrical sockets are dangerous and can lead to fire and electrocution. Taken together with the other issues raised, no more than one days work to put right, but combined they show how shabby this hall has become due to no care and diligence by its owners. Had you received a burn from one of the faulty sockets while using a plug, no adequate first aid , no extinguisher to put out an ensuing fire, your opinion would be very different. The person who wrote the report was very correct to do so and the council as a whole should be alarmed that this hall after all what has gone on about it should have fallen into this amount on bitty but neglectful disrepair so quickly. No wonder our other Halls are far from sparkling and the Corn Exchange is a shinning example of the neglect this council has a track record, totally disgusting.

Score: 2

C ARINGAROSA says...10:51pm Sun 20 Jul 14

the wizard wrote…

C ARINGAROSA wrote…

What a load of fuss over nothing, this is a public hall not the Dorchester Hotel, with people using a building there will always be odd small things that need attention, If the Council had dealt with issues far worse, and dangerous that needed doing in the Corn Exchange, it would never have been closed in the first place, but they would not spend any money on it. Now they are looking rather silly, yet again ! C. Aringarosa, Corn Street, Witney.

I normally agree with a lot of what you write but however here I differ in opinion. Firstly, first aid box depleted, is it not checked and replenished on a regular basis, well obviously not, but not a rocket science duty of care obligation to those who rent this hall. Secondly, a fire extinguisher not in the main hall, probably renders the place in contravention of the law and all recommended obligations to gain a fire certificate. Cracked faces on electrical sockets are dangerous and can lead to fire and electrocution. Taken together with the other issues raised, no more than one days work to put right, but combined they show how shabby this hall has become due to no care and diligence by its owners. Had you received a burn from one of the faulty sockets while using a plug, no adequate first aid , no extinguisher to put out an ensuing fire, your opinion would be very different. The person who wrote the report was very correct to do so and the council as a whole should be alarmed that this hall after all what has gone on about it should have fallen into this amount on bitty but neglectful disrepair so quickly. No wonder our other Halls are far from sparkling and the Corn Exchange is a shinning example of the neglect this council has a track record, totally disgusting.

Thank You for that Very fair comment Wizard, and quite right of course . Do you also know that the Town Hall is being used by officers, councillors, and members of the public, but does not have a fire escape from either the first or the second floor, which is the council chamber?. There used to be a rope ladder but that has been removed, because it did not comply with regs. Work that one out. C. Aringarosa, Corn Street, Witney.

[quote][p][bold]the wizard[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]C ARINGAROSA[/bold] wrote:
What a load of fuss over nothing, this is a public hall not the Dorchester Hotel, with people using a building there will always be odd small things that need attention, If the Council had dealt with issues far worse, and dangerous that needed doing in the Corn Exchange, it would never have been closed in the first place, but they would not spend any money on it. Now they are looking rather silly, yet again !
C. Aringarosa, Corn Street, Witney.[/p][/quote]I normally agree with a lot of what you write but however here I differ in opinion.
Firstly, first aid box depleted, is it not checked and replenished on a regular basis, well obviously not, but not a rocket science duty of care obligation to those who rent this hall.
Secondly, a fire extinguisher not in the main hall, probably renders the place in contravention of the law and all recommended obligations to gain a fire certificate.
Cracked faces on electrical sockets are dangerous and can lead to fire and electrocution.
Taken together with the other issues raised, no more than one days work to put right, but combined they show how shabby this hall has become due to no care and diligence by its owners.
Had you received a burn from one of the faulty sockets while using a plug, no adequate first aid , no extinguisher to put out an ensuing fire, your opinion would be very different. The person who wrote the report was very correct to do so and the council as a whole should be alarmed that this hall after all what has gone on about it should have fallen into this amount on bitty but neglectful disrepair so quickly. No wonder our other Halls are far from sparkling and the Corn Exchange is a shinning example of the neglect this council has a track record, totally disgusting.[/p][/quote]Thank You for that Very fair comment Wizard, and quite right of course . Do you also know that the Town Hall is being used by officers, councillors, and members of the public, but does not have a fire escape from either the first or the second floor, which is the council chamber?. There used to be a rope ladder but that has been removed, because it did not comply with regs. Work that one out.
C. Aringarosa, Corn Street, Witney.C ARINGAROSA

the wizard wrote…

C ARINGAROSA wrote…

What a load of fuss over nothing, this is a public hall not the Dorchester Hotel, with people using a building there will always be odd small things that need attention, If the Council had dealt with issues far worse, and dangerous that needed doing in the Corn Exchange, it would never have been closed in the first place, but they would not spend any money on it. Now they are looking rather silly, yet again ! C. Aringarosa, Corn Street, Witney.

I normally agree with a lot of what you write but however here I differ in opinion. Firstly, first aid box depleted, is it not checked and replenished on a regular basis, well obviously not, but not a rocket science duty of care obligation to those who rent this hall. Secondly, a fire extinguisher not in the main hall, probably renders the place in contravention of the law and all recommended obligations to gain a fire certificate. Cracked faces on electrical sockets are dangerous and can lead to fire and electrocution. Taken together with the other issues raised, no more than one days work to put right, but combined they show how shabby this hall has become due to no care and diligence by its owners. Had you received a burn from one of the faulty sockets while using a plug, no adequate first aid , no extinguisher to put out an ensuing fire, your opinion would be very different. The person who wrote the report was very correct to do so and the council as a whole should be alarmed that this hall after all what has gone on about it should have fallen into this amount on bitty but neglectful disrepair so quickly. No wonder our other Halls are far from sparkling and the Corn Exchange is a shinning example of the neglect this council has a track record, totally disgusting.

Thank You for that Very fair comment Wizard, and quite right of course . Do you also know that the Town Hall is being used by officers, councillors, and members of the public, but does not have a fire escape from either the first or the second floor, which is the council chamber?. There used to be a rope ladder but that has been removed, because it did not comply with regs. Work that one out. C. Aringarosa, Corn Street, Witney.

Score: 5

the wizard says...6:06am Mon 21 Jul 14

If the Town Hall has no fire escape on its upper floors how does it get a fire certificate ? Surely this goes to show just how badly things have been allowed to slide by the council and I ask the question, are the council members fit for purpose themselves ? They seem to have little grasp of these matters, and whoever is informing them of their obligations is seriously also negligent. What a bunch of total idiots, and the worrying thing is, people have put their trust n them and voted them into office. They walk among us, and yet are they sane enough to do so ?

If the Town Hall has no fire escape on its upper floors how does it get a fire certificate ? Surely this goes to show just how badly things have been allowed to slide by the council and I ask the question, are the council members fit for purpose themselves ? They seem to have little grasp of these matters, and whoever is informing them of their obligations is seriously also negligent. What a bunch of total idiots, and the worrying thing is, people have put their trust n them and voted them into office. They walk among us, and yet are they sane enough to do so ?the wizard

If the Town Hall has no fire escape on its upper floors how does it get a fire certificate ? Surely this goes to show just how badly things have been allowed to slide by the council and I ask the question, are the council members fit for purpose themselves ? They seem to have little grasp of these matters, and whoever is informing them of their obligations is seriously also negligent. What a bunch of total idiots, and the worrying thing is, people have put their trust n them and voted them into office. They walk among us, and yet are they sane enough to do so ?

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